U.S. patent application number 13/428000 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for anchor device.
Invention is credited to Giovanni CRIPPA.
Application Number | 20120272887 13/428000 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43977267 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120272887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CRIPPA; Giovanni |
November 1, 2012 |
ANCHOR DEVICE
Abstract
An anchor device comprises a connecting member between an anchor
and its anchor line, having a first part designed to be fastened to
one end of the shank of the anchor and a second part extending
axially and designed to be fastened releasably to the first part
and to be connected to the anchor line; locking means and
counter-means including a piston which is slidable in a cavity of
the second part and which, causes the release of the locking means
and counter-means; a body designed to be moved by sliding along the
anchor line until it interacts with the piston, thus releasing the
locking means and counter-means, wherein the piston is axially
slidable.
Inventors: |
CRIPPA; Giovanni; (Rapallo
(GE), IT) |
Family ID: |
43977267 |
Appl. No.: |
13/428000 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/210 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 21/22 20130101;
B63B 21/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/210 |
International
Class: |
B63B 21/22 20060101
B63B021/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2011 |
IT |
PD2011A000089 |
Claims
1. An anchor device comprising: a connecting member between an
anchor and its anchor line, having a first part designed to be
fastened to one end of the shank of the anchor and a second part
extending axially and designed to be fastened releasably to the
first part and to be connected to the anchor line; releasable
locking means and counter-means between the first and second parts;
the locking means and counter-means including a piston which is
slidable in a cavity of the second part and which, by its movement
relative to the second part in the cavity, causes the release of
the locking means and counter-means; and a body designed to be
moved by sliding along the anchor line until it interacts with the
piston, thus releasing the locking means and counter-means; wherein
the piston is slidable axially in the second part in a direction
parallel to the direction of sliding of the body and is directly
subject to the action of the body.
2. The anchor device according to claim 1, wherein the piston is
surrounded circumferentially by a shell of the second part.
3. The anchor device according to claim 1, further comprising a
retrieval line extending between the anchor and the second part of
the connecting member for the release of the anchor in case of
fouling.
4. The anchor device according to claim 3, wherein the retrieval
line has a lower tensile breaking strength than the anchor
line.
5. The anchor device according to claim 1, wherein the first part
comprises a cylindrical body and a cylindrical appendage, the
appendage being offset axially with respect to the body.
6. The anchor device according to claim 1, wherein the locking
means and counter-means comprise balls housed movably in radial
holes formed in a sleevelike body of the second part, the balls
being selectively engageable in a channel of the first part, in a
locked configuration of the device, or in a channel of the piston,
in an unlocked configuration of the device.
7. The anchor device according to claim 6, wherein the first part
comprises a cylindrical body and a cylindrical appendage, and
wherein the channel of the first part is formed in the
appendage.
8. The anchor device according to claim 1, wherein the piston is
stressed resiliently by a spring towards a stop adapted to limit
axial movement of the piston within the cavity.
9. The anchor device according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is
formed by a shell outside the piston, the piston being slidable
with respect to the shell.
10. The anchor device according to claim 9, wherein the piston is
kept within the cavity throughout the stroke of the piston in a
direction parallel to the direction of sliding of the body.
Description
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Italian
patent application PD2011A000089 filed Mar. 23, 2011, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an anchor device of the
type described herein.
BACKGROUND
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,475 describes an anchor device wherein
the connecting member between the anchor and its anchor line can be
opened by interaction between one or more pistons, movable radially
on the connecting member, and a bell-shaped body which can be
lowered along the anchor line in order to interact with these
pistons.
[0004] The pressure exerted as a result of the insertion of the
bell into the connecting member causes the release of the latter
and the consequent disconnection of the anchor line from the ring
of the anchor. However, a connection is maintained by means of a
retrieval line which connects the connecting member to the crown of
the anchor.
[0005] This solution enables the anchor to be retrieved in case of
fouling, and, if the retrieval line is weaker than the anchor line,
it enables at least the latter to be retrieved as a result of the
breaking of the retrieval line if it proves impossible to free the
anchor. However, this solution has two main drawbacks. The first is
that the piston causing the connecting member to open is movable
radially with respect to the axis of the member, and therefore the
piston moves orthogonally to the direction of sliding of the bell
used for the opening operation. Because of the hydrostatic pressure
acting on the bell, the opening operation may be difficult in the
presence of grains of mud or sand which impede the movement of the
piston. Secondly, the device is subject to potential accidental
opening of the connecting member between the anchor and the anchor
line, due to interference between the connecting member and rocks
on the sea bed. In practice, there is no protection for the piston
which causes the connecting member to be released. Furthermore, the
device, at least in the solution shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of U.S.
Pat. No. 6,209,475, is resiliently stressed towards an open
condition the connecting member, which is somewhat hazardous
because of the aforementioned risk of accidental release.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,962 describes an anchor device whose
release, when the anchor has become fouled, is dependent on a
sudden pull on the anchor line. Since sudden pulls may also occur
as a result of powerful atmospheric disturbances, the system is
insufficiently reliable.
[0007] There are also known anchor devices which include a
retrieval line associated with a sleeve which is slidable on the
anchor line and which can be hooked from above, if the anchor
becomes fouled, so that a pull can be exerted on the retrieval
line. These devices (see, for example, www.anchorrescue.com) have
the drawback that, if the anchor becomes fouled, it is recovered
purely by using the line associated with the retrieval line, rather
than by using the anchor line. In critical conditions, as in the
case of a squall, the pull exerted in this way may be excessive.
Furthermore, if the release operation is unsuccessful, there is a
risk that the anchor line may be lost as well as the anchor.
SUMMARY
[0008] The problem on which the invention is based is that of
providing an anchor device whose structural and functional design
such that the drawbacks of the aforementioned art can be
overcome.
[0009] This problem is resolved by the invention by means of an
anchor device as described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features and advantages of the invention will be made
clearer by the following detailed description of preferred, but
non-exclusive, exemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrated,
for the purposes of guidance and without restrictive intent, with
reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an anchor device according to
non-limiting embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first part of the device of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a second part of the
device of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, in section, of a piston and of
a corresponding spring, which are details of the device of FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a side view, in
two respective operating configurations, of a slidable body which
is a detail of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view which schematically illustrates
the operation of the device according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of
the device according to non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of a third embodiment of the
device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The aspects, advantages and/or other features of example
embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent in view
of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
[0021] In describing example embodiments, specific terminology is
employed for the sake of clarity. However, the example embodiments
are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. Unless
otherwise noted, technical terms are used according to conventional
usage. All patents and publications mentioned in this specification
are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which
the invention pertains. All publications, patent applications,
patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
[0022] As used herein, "a" or "an" may mean one or more. As used
herein, "another" may mean at least a second or more. Furthermore,
unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include
pluralities and plural terms include the singular.
[0023] In the drawings, the number 1 indicates the whole of an
anchor device comprising a connecting member 2 between an anchor 3
and its anchor line 4.
[0024] The anchor line 4 can include a chain, or a braided cable,
or both.
[0025] The connecting member 2 comprises a first part 6 provided
with a fork 7 for fixing by means of a pin 7a to one end (the ring)
of the shank 8 of the anchor 3. It also comprises a second part 9
designed to be fastened releasably to the first part 6, on the one
hand, and to be connected permanently, by means of a second fork 10
and a corresponding pin 10a, to the anchor line 4, on the other
hand. The two parts of the connecting member 2 are generally
cylindrical in shape and are coaxial when coupled together.
[0026] The first part 6 has a cylindrical appendage 11 extending
from the end opposite the fork 7 and having a semi-toroidal channel
12. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the first part 6 is composed
of a further cylindrical body 6', at one end of which the fork 7 is
formed. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawings,
the cylindrical appendage 11 can be made to be axially offset with
respect to the cylindrical body 6', so as to facilitate the
rotation of the anchor on the stem head.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 3, the second part 9 is shaped in the
form of a sleeve, with an axial blind hole 13 into which the
appendage 11 can be fitted. This part can also be composed of two
bodies 9' and 9'', the first body 9' forming the aforesaid sleeve,
while the second body 9'' is in the shape of a hollow cylinder
extending outside the sleeve so as to form a shell 16 and delimit
an annular cavity 18 between the two bodies. This configuration
enables the second part 9 to be made more simply, with the bodies
9' and 9'' joined by a threaded connection.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 5, balls 14 are held so as to be
radially movable in a corresponding set of radial holes 15 formed
in the sleevelike body 9' of the second part 9, these holes being
positioned next to the channel 12 when the first part 6 and the
second part 9 are coupled together, the balls serving to retain the
cylindrical appendage 11 in the hole 13 by removably engaging the
channel 12. The balls 14 are kept in engagement with the channel 12
by an annular piston 17 slidably guided in the annular cavity 18 of
the second part 9 in a direction coaxial with the part 9 and
substantially in prolongation of the anchor line 4, for the reasons
explained below.
[0029] A spring 19 keeps the piston 17 resiliently stressed towards
a stop 20 so as to limit the movement of the piston within the
cavity 18. It should be noted that the shell 16 extends axially
beyond the stop 20, thereby protecting the piston 17 throughout its
axial stroke. The outward-facing end of the piston 17 cannot pass
beyond the end of the shell 16, since the stroke of the piston is
limited by the stop 20. In the annular inner surface of the piston
17 there is formed a semi-toroidal channel 21 such that, when the
piston 17 is made to slide in the cavity 18 in opposition to the
spring 19 until the channel 21 is placed next to the balls 14, the
balls can disengage from the channel 12, thereby releasing the
first part of the member 2. The annular piston 17 is actuated by
means of a body 22 formed by two semi-cylinders 23 hinged so as to
be openable for fitting the body on to the anchor line 4 and
reclosable on the line, by means of a pin closure 24, for example.
The body 22 terminates, on its end facing the connecting member 2,
in a cylindrical appendage 25 which projects axially to interact
with the piston 17 by pushing it in opposition to the spring 19.
The body has an eye 26 to which a cable is tied to control its
descent along the mooring line towards the anchor.
[0030] A second eye 27 is formed in the second part 9 of the member
2 for connection to an end of the retrieval line 28, the opposite
end of which is connected to the crown of the anchor, or to the end
of the shank opposite the ring.
[0031] Because the body is able to interact axially with the piston
17, the effect of the impact of the body on the piston is
maximized, giving rise to a relatively high force which is
sufficient to open the member 2. It is also possible to use locking
means and counter-means which oppose the opening more strongly,
thus improving the protection of the device against accidental
opening, while using the same body 22.
[0032] When the first part of the member 2 has been released from
the first, and the anchor line is pulled, the anchor will be raised
from the sea bed by the crown part, instead of by the ring, and it
will easily be released. If the release operation is unsuccessful,
then if the arrangement is such that a retrieval line weaker than
the anchor line is used, a sufficient pull can be exerted to break
the retrieval line, thereby releasing the anchor line from the
fouled anchor so that the anchor line, at least, can be
recovered.
[0033] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8,
wherein similar details are identified by the same reference
numerals as in the preceding figures.
[0034] This solution differs from the preceding one in that the
piston is formed by at least a pair of pistons 17', located in
diametrically opposite positions, each of which is associated with
a respective spring 14.
[0035] The second part 9 therefore has a pair of holes 18', in
which the pistons and the springs can be housed. In greater detail,
the pistons 17' also have a semi-toroidal channel 21', which can be
coupled with the balls 14, as in the preceding embodiment.
[0036] This embodiment provides high robustness and precision of
operation by comparison with the preceding embodiment.
[0037] A third embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIG. 9. In this solution, identified as a whole by the number 30,
the piston 31 is mounted outside the second part 9 and is stressed
by the spring 19 so that one of its ends bears on a flange 32. At
the opposite end there is formed a channel 33 by means of which the
piston is engaged by snap-fitting by a plurality of catches 34
located at the corresponding end of the body 22. In this case, the
appendage 25 is flared to facilitate the snap-fitting engagement of
the catches 34 in the channel 33 by means of a spring 35, shown
schematically in the drawing. In this case, when the body 22 has
been lowered along the anchor line until its catches 34 engage in
the channel 33, the piston 31 is actuated to release the first part
of the member 2 by pulling the body 22 away from the fouled anchor
by means of a cable.
[0038] Although the invention has been described in example
embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the
inventions herein may be practiced other than as specifically
described. Accordingly, it is intended that such changes and
modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as
defined by the claims appended hereto. Thus, the present
embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and
illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *
References